Rabbi Scheinberg Recommends These Books
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For books that won the National Jewish Book Awards and others recommended by members of the congregation, including books for children and cookbooks, see our complete book list.
There are thousands of books that are designed as introductions to Jewish life, culture, and tradition. Of course, their quality and ideological perspective vary widely. These are the books that I find myself plugging most often, in classes and individual sessions.
These books are valuable not only for beginners, but also for people who feel they have a strong grounding in Jewish tradition. It is certainly possible for someone to be a very knowledgeable Jew and yet to lack an articulate answer to the question, “What are the most important values of Judaism? And why should I bother to affirm my Jewish identity and uphold Jewish tradition?” These books are indispensable for individuals - and especially parents - who have ever faced (or asked) these questions.
Jewish Living
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Living Judaism,
by Wayne Dosick This is the book I use as a textbook in my Introduction to Judaism classes. Not only does it work well as a catch-all reference book about Jewish practice, but it also includes essays that emphasize the personal meaning that the author derives from Judaism. |
| Choosing a
Jewish Life, by Anita Diamant In my opinion, anything Anita Diamant writes is worth reading. This is the best step-by-step guide to the non-Orthodox conversion process I have ever seen, including excerpts from interviews with dozens of people who have converted to Judaism. |
| New Jewish Wedding Book, by Anita Diamant -- absolutely indispensable for anyone planning a Jewish wedding. |
| Jewish Literacy,
by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. This is the one book on this list that I think belongs in EVERY Jewish home. It is a one-volume, informative and entertaining reference work that includes brief essays covering virtually every facet of Jewish values, history, and tradition. One of Telushkin’s other books, Jewish Wisdom, is also worthy of note as an anthology of quotable Jewish texts on a range of timeless and contemporary issues. |
| God is a Verb,
by Rabbi David Cooper. Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and Jewish meditation are now all the rage. I have found this book to be a good introduction, written from a very knowledgeable (though non-traditional) perspective. |
| To Life! by
Harold Kushner One of the most articulate American Conservative rabbis presents his introduction to Jewish beliefs, values, and traditions. |
| Back to the
Sources edited by Barry Holtz This book, often used in college courses on Judaism, includes chapters on each of the major traditional Jewish writings, including the Bible, the Mishnah and Talmud, Midrash, medieval philosophical works, and the prayerbook. |
| Entering Jewish
Prayer by Reuven Hammer A great way to learn about the Siddur and Jewish prayer, written by one of the leaders of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel. Also see his Entering the High Holidays. |
| The Jewish
Holidays: A Guide and Commentary by Michael Strassfeld Introduces the major themes and practices for each Jewish holiday, from an engaging pluralistic perspective |
| The Art of
Jewish Living: The Shabbat Seder;
Hanukkah
by Ron Wolfson Excellent introductions to these holidays from the perspective of the Conservative movement, including suggestions for incorporating these traditions into one's life. The Passover Seder book is especially helpful for first-time Seder leaders. |
| A Guide to
Jewish Religious Practice by Isaac Klein The best book in English for summarizing the details of Jewish practice as interpreted in the Conservative movement. Includes chapters summarizing Jewish law relating to Kashrut (dietary laws), Shabbat and holidays, marriage and divorce, prayer, birth, death and mourning, and much more -- an essential reference book. |
| The Art of
Jewish Living: A Time to Mourn, A Time to Comfort by Ron Wolfson From the perspective of the Conservative movement, a guide to a Jewish traditional perspective on death and mourning, including concepts and practices. |
| Mourning and
Mitzvah by Anne Brener A guide for using the traditions of Judaism during the mourning process. |
| What is God's
Name? by Rabbi Sandy Sasso Theology for the under-5 set. (Baby to preschool) Try other children's books by her as well! |
| It's a Mitzvah!
by Brad Artson This book provides step-by-step guidelines for incorporating the mitzvot (commandments) into one's life: both Judaism's ritual commandments, such as Kashrut, Shabbat, and regular prayer, as well as Judaism's ethical commandments, such as ethical speech, concern for animals and the environment, and promoting peace in the world. |
| Jewish Family
and Life by Yosef Abromowitz and Rabbi Susan Silverman Chock-full of Jewish parenting suggestions. Also, check out the authors' web-site: www.jewishfamily.com. |
Bibles
| If you want to have a Bible for your home library, the one I recommend the most is "Tanakh : A New Translation of the Holy Scriptures According to the Traditional Hebrew Text" from the New Jewish Publication Society. This is the current Jewish Publication Society version of the complete text of the Hebrew Bible, translated into English, completed in 1985. Tanakh is an acronym for the Bible consisting of three hebrew letters: tav, standing for Torah; the first five books of the Bible, the five books of Moses; nun, standing for Nevi'im, the Prophets, such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and Micah; and koph, standing for Kethuvim, the Writings, such as Psalms, Proverbs, the book of Job and the Book of Esther. |
| Two other interesting books that are not a complete Bible, are Everett Fox's translation of "The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy : A New Translation With Introductions, Commentary, and Notes." Widely acclaimed by Bible scholars and theologians of every denomination, Everett Fox's masterful translation re-creates the echoes, allusions, alliterations, and wordplays of the Hebrew original. Together with its extensive commentary and illuminating notes, this unique translation draws the reader closer to the authentic living voice of the Bible. |
| The third (if you already have a Bible and want another interesting version), is "Genesis: Translation and Commentary," by Robert Alter (Editor). This is the first of the planned translations of the five books of Moses. The Biblical book of Genesis contains some of the most sublime poetry known to man as well as the powerful and bloody history of early Israel. Literary critic Robert Alter here joins the ranks of contemporary authors who have tried to mimic, in English, the sonorous rhythms and parallel constructions of the original Hebrew. He also supplies an insightful, fascinating commentary that emphasizes the dramatic unity of the Genesis story. For believers seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible's first book, or for readers interested in the Bible as literature, Alter's contribution is essential. |
Books for Passover
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Haggadot especially for adult beginners
Passover Survival Kit and Survival Kit Haggadah, by Shimon Apisdorf. (Leviathan Press.)
Keeping Passover, by Ira Steingroot (Harper San Francisco) The Art of Jewish Living: The Passover Seder, by Ron Wolfson. (Federation of Jewish Mens' Clubs.)
The Feast of Freedom Passover Haggadah, edited by Rachel Anne Rabinowicz. (The Rabbinical Assembly.)
A Different
Night by David Dishon and Noam Zion (Shalom Hartman Institute.) The Moss Haggadah, written and illustrated by David Moss. (Bet Alpha Editions; $185.00) The Children's Haggadah, by Howard Bogot and Robert Orkand. (CCAR.) Published by the Reform movement; Why On This Night? by Rahel Musleah, illustrations by Louise August. (Simon & Schuster)
A Family Haggadah II by Shoshana Silberman. (Kar-ben Copies, Inc.) Let's Ask Four Questions by Madeline Wikler. (Kar-Ben.) In English. Uncle Eli's Special for Kids Most Fun Ever Under the Table Haggadah by Eliezer Lorne Segal, with illustrations by Bonnie Gordon-Lucas. (No Starch Press) In English and Hebrew.
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